Ja Rule Finishes Gun Charge Sentence, Set To Serve Time For Tax Evasion

Ja Rule would be released from prison this week, after serving time on a gun charge, but will instead head into federal custody for a tax case.

After serving most of a two-year bid for possession of an illegal firearm, the veteran rapper was slated to leave an upstate prison Thursday (February 21), but has some time remaining on a 28-month sentence for tax evasion, as his pair of sentences were expected to run concurrently.

However, according to the Associated Press, Ja may serve less than six months and could be eligible for a halfway house.

"Many people are looking forward to experiencing his talent again," said defense attorney Stacey Richman, who also noted that he's looking forward to his daughter's graduation. "He's a devoted father."

During his current incarceration, Ja Rule has had just two misbehavior reports, both for unauthorized phone calls in February 2012... and had work assignments on lawn and ground crews as well as participated in education programs.

He began serving his bid in June 2011, a sentence stemming from a 2007 gun arrest in New York City. After being pulled over, police found a loaded semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle.

Then, in July 2011, a judge ruled that he was sentenced to two additional years for tax evasion, though he would serve each sentence concurrently.